Cotton farming in Machakos County

Machakos county has always been said to be a dry county which cannot be in a position to support agriculture. This is from the drought that have occurred in some of its parts in the past years and left a number of people dead.

The drought came as an eye opener to many people and that’s how agriculture started to improve in the county. Many farmers in the county were urged to engage into intensive farming as a way of maintaining food security.

Most of the people in Machakos county were used to waiting for relief food since they had the perception that no agricultural product could do well in the Machakos County soil but that was not the case.

Currently, agriculture is the main economic activity in Machakos County, particularly subsistence farming. River Athi together with some other dams are used as water sources that are used for irrigation. Springs too are found in the hilly area of the county’s water from underground act as supplementary to the other existing eater sources.

Interested investors in Machakos have got great chances in venturing into the cotton industry and take full advantage of that field. Most cotton farmers in the county practice it at the subsistence level.

Cotton production is very high thus the need for a modern cotton mill in the county. Farmers plant it in both small and large scale irrigated farms. Cotton production is well integrated into the economy of Machakos county. It will be of great benefit to the economy of the county since cotton produced is from the county itself.

The mill will be used in making of textiles and garments that can be exported to other countries. The exporting process will be abit easy since the roads from Machakos to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are well maintained and in good condition.

Cotton farmers will also be educated on the importance of embracing modern methods of cotton farming and pests and diseases control. This will improve the production of the crop.

The produce in currently being exported but in smaller quantities, therefore, farmers can be introduced to methods of seed multiplication so that the y can increase yields.

Leasing of farming equipment to farmers is also a great investing opportunies for interested investors. This will mean that you hire out farming machines at fee. Sacco’s can also be formed that will lend farming money to the farmers whenever they need them.

Article by Vera Shawiza.